Question

A student performed the following steps to find the solution to the equation x² - 2x -8 -0. Where did the student go wrong? Step 1. Factor the polynomial into (x-4) and (x - 2) Step 2. x-4 = 0 and x - 2 = 0 Step 3. x = 4 and x = 2

Answer 1

See below.

Explanation:

Step1 is incorrect:

The expression factors to (x - 4)(x + 2) NOT (x - 4)(x - 2).